Suicide Solution.

Notes: this is a Severitus Challenge, go to www.geocities.com\challengefics\thechallenge.htm To find out the 'rules' for a Severitus Challenge piece.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything that is recognisably harry potter-ish, and the Severitus challenge-ness belongs to the writer Severitus, userid=123967

Summary: A Severitus challenge, [Snape is Harry's father] Story begins at 11.59pm on July 30th. It's the summer before Harry's 6th year, and Harry's changing . . . (A Dark Harry fic)

AN: FANTASTIC!!! I have a hundred reviews!!!! I love you all! I've never had 100 reviews before! Yay, right as a thank you I will try and get lots of chapters up! Keep reading and reviewing!

Chapter 23

Neither had spoken for over an hour, just sitting in the darkened office listening to their own heartbeats and breathing. On the far wall the continuous tick-tock-tick-tock of the old mahogany grandfather clock, chronic as it was, was a familiarity to the both of them, and they appreciated it.

Tanathos was relaying the conversation and the past few days over in his mind. His thoughts came to rest at the end of the evening at the All Hallows eve party.

~S~

"Well?" Tanathos advanced on him, wand still out "Answer me Father, why didn't you tell me anything about anything?"

"Because" he began

"Because what father?" Tanathos cut across him "Because you didn't want me to run off to Dumbledore and tell him that you were spying on the order and have completely betrayed his trust! Because you didn't want me to go to Remus or anyone from the order and suggest that they question you under Veritaserum? Well?"

"Because I didn't want to lose you again" Severus' voice was barely more than a whisper and he was looking at the ground. Tanathos stopped, his anger quickly dissipating with the timidness of his father's voice. He had never seen nor heard him so withdrawn and receptive in emotion before.

~S~

'Because I didn't want to lose you again' those were the first words he had heard his father speak that weren't full of hatred bitterness or despair. Tanathos thought for a bit longer then making up his mind decided to ask his father about it

"At the party" he began, looking at the floor. Severus didn't move nor acknowledge the fact that his son was speaking.

"You said that you had a fear." This time Severus sat up straighter, though his head was still leaning on his hands that were on the desk

"You admitted a fear, not only in front of me, but in front of Blaise" Tanathos was now looking directly at his father, his tone was challenging and enquiring

"I have never known you to admit a fear in front of any one, and I bet that half the people at Hogwarts can agree with me on that too." Tanathos crossed one leg over the other and leant his arms on the arms of the chair he was in.

"So, why did you?" he challenged his father

Outside the office door, the sound of footsteps from the other students could be heard, clearly afternoon classes had just finished and the Slytherin's who had been in their common room were making their way up to the great hall for dinner. Neither Snape moved.

"Well!?" Tanathos growled clearly annoyed

Severus looked like he was about to answer but then his right hand flew to his left arm, and his face screwed up in pain, at the same time Tanathos's hand flew to his scar.

Threw his almost scrunched up eyes Tanathos saw his father stand and move towards a cupboard that lined the wall. The pain in his scar lessened slightly as he put Occlumency into practice. When the pain had subsided enough for him to get a focus on his surroundings he saw that his father had transfigured his robes into that of the Death eaters, and his wand still in his left hand and floo power in his right.

"Go. I'll head to dinner. We can talk later." Tanathos said to his father who stared at him

"And what should I tell my lord?" he asked quietly, Tanathos balked 'he's showing more feelings then he should, when he gets back I'll remind him that he needs to resume his cold hearted side again. Though I will miss not being shouted, snarled and tormented by him'

"Don't tell him about Cercis yet, we need to clarify those plans. Now go! He'll hurt you more if you're even later than this!"

Severus nodded then flooed to his house leaving Tanathos in his father's office alone.

"Come back safely father. Soon you and your son shall go public." He said quietly to himself.

The fire in the grate went out slowly. Tanathos stood picked up his bag and left his father's office, locking the door once he was in the hallway. Just as he was leaving the dungeon's someone came up behind him and grabbing his shoulder, pulled him around and pinned him up against the wall. As he turned Tanathos pulled out his wand and caught a glimpse of the white- blonde hair as he was spun.

"Hello Malfoy" he said in a gentle tone that did not fit the situation

Malfoy had his arm under Tanathos' chin against his neck and had not noticed that Tanathos had his wand in his hand.

"Here I have you all on your own." Malfoy snarled "And in the dungeons no less" Tanathos just stared back into Malfoy's silver eyes. "You are not on your own very often nowadays"

Tanathos mocked a look of flattery "I feel so touched that you care about me that much Draco" Malfoy snarled and pushed his arm tighter against Tanathos' neck

"Watch your mouth Potter," he hissed

"Do you know how often I get told to do that? Though it is hard, I can't see my mouth unless I am looking in a mirror" Tanathos replied recklessly, taunting Malfoy

"Shut up Potter," he hissed again "I want a few question's answered"

"Ask away, though don't expect any answer's"

"Question 1, what's going on with you and Blaise?"

Tanathos shrugged, well tried to, it was a bit hard being pinned to the wall. His wand was still in his hand, even though he did not need it to do magic he was not to thrilled about giving that little detail away just yet.

"We're friends" he replied simply

"Blaise does not acquaint himself with Gryffindor twats" Malfoy shot back

"You know Draco, if you ever got to know me then you would realise that I am not very Gryffindor at all, and some Gryffindor's would make better Slytherin's or even Hufflepuff's."

Malfoy ignored his reply

"Question 2, why haven't you been with Weasley and Granger lately?"

"I feel touched that you care so much about my well being and my friendships Draco, perhaps you are trying to get something out of this. Or perhaps you are lonely or perhaps you're pissed that I chose Weasley over you on the train and now I'm friends with Blaise, you're pissed off at him for doing what you couldn't and pissed off with me for choosing him over you again."

Malfoy glared at Tanathos who responded with a smile

"What are you suggesting Potter?"

Tanathos smirked "A truce"

Malfoy blinked

"Are you mad?"

"Yep, quite possibly, but hey someone has been trying to kill me my entire life, so I might as well lead it as I choose and make friends with who I choose, make a truce with who I choose and follow who I choose"

Malfoy released him and stepped back slightly

"You're offering a truce? After all these years? Why?"

Tanathos stepped away from the wall

"Because I want to." He shrugged again "And even if our 'language' and 'choice of words' are different." He placed emphasis on the word language, referring of course to Draco's continuous use of the word 'Mudblood'

"Our ideals, our pass times and quite possibly our personalities are very similar."

"What do you mean 'our ideals and our pass times' are similar?"

Tanathos smirked "Come now Draco, you're smart, and you've already referenced to it."

Draco blinked again then he realised what Tanathos was saying

"You have been practicing the Dark arts!"

Tanathos smirked at him again and took a step towards him

"I will not clarify nor deny that statement," he answered quietly

A triumphant look crossed Draco's face and was about to speak when both heard the approach of someone in the hallway. Tanathos moved away from Draco and looked to see whom it was. As he turned Draco noticed that he had his wand in his hand.

'He had it in his hand, yet didn't use it. Nor did he push me off. Weird boy, perhaps he means what he is saying.'

"Ah, Blaise, good evening" Tanathos greeted his friend.

Blaise looked over Tanathos and Draco before answering

"Hey Harry" this, Tanathos noted, as the first time Blaise had called him Harry.

"Draco. Dinner has started were either of you planning to attend it?"

Tanathos shrugged "Yeah, might as well. Draco think about what I said. Come on lets go Blaise." Tanathos walked past Draco and Blaise and made his way up to the great hall. Behind him he could hear Draco and Blaise begin talking

"What was going on?" Blaise was asking Draco

"I attacked him and we talked and he offered a truce" Draco replied

"A truce? That was surprising though not completely unexpected"

"What do you mean 'not completely unexpected'?"

Tanathos stopped walking and turned back to watch the two Slytherin's converse.

He saw Blaise shrug and heard him say "He's not friends with his little Gryffindorrians any more is he? Or hadn't you noticed?"

"No, I had noticed. In fact he indirectly agreed to me accusing him of using the Dark arts. What's all that about?"

Blaise smirked "I refuse to clarify or deny that accusation"

Tanathos sniggered to himself 'Okay, I've been spending too much time with Blaise if I'm picking up Slytherin lingo'

His stomach rumbled quietly so he directed a thought to Blaise

'Wrap it up, I'm hungry'

Tanathos could literally hear Blaise's smirk as he replied 'Go ahead, this looks to be a long conversation. What were you doing down here anyway?'

Tanathos turned and made his way up to the hall

'Talking to my father what do you think?'

'Draco says he saw you come out of his office and lock the door.' Blaise accused

Tanathos shrugged 'So, I did. He got called and had to leave so I locked up.'

'He was called, and you were there!'

'Yeah so?' Tanathos had reached the hall and slowly made his way over to the Gryffindor table

'What happened?'

Tanathos sat at the end near the doors, which was relatively empty and began to load his plate with food

'Well we had been talking and then we were quiet for a long time. Then he was called and my scar hurt so I did Occlumency and when the pain had cleared he was standing in his Death eater robes by the fire with his wand out holding floo powder.'

He began to eat, and was painfully aware of the glares he was getting off everyone at the Gryffindor table.

'Why did you scar hurt?' Blaise asked

'It hurts when the Dark Lord is in a very good mood, very bad mood, a particularly violent mood and when he summons Death eaters through the Dark mark.'

'Ah okay, so then what happened?'

Blaise and Draco were entering the hall now. Draco cast a wary look over to where he sat but Blaise ignored him

'He asked me, 'and what should I tell my lord?' and I replied 'Don't tell him about Cercis yet, we need to clarify those plans.' And he left'

Over at the Slytherin table Draco and Blaise say down and began to load up their plates

'Who's Cercis? And what plans?'

Tanathos grinned 'I'm Cercis and my plan to rid the world of Harry Potter and re-unite Cercis Snape with his father'

Tanathos saw Blaise nod his head, but whether it was in agreement to Draco or himself, he didn't know.

'When will that plan go into action?' Blaise asked him

'Dunno. Need to go over it with Father.'

Tanathos helped himself to desert and ate it quickly

'I need to talk to Campaspe; I promised her that I would tell her about the party. If you want to talk to me I'll be in the room of requirement.'

Having quickly eaten his trifle, Tanathos stood and left the hall.

'Got it, I'll come find you later.'

'Okay.'

Tanathos made his way up to Gryffindor tower ("Eatsqueakmeat") climbed the stairs to the boy's dormitory and picked up the frame of Lady Campaspe. He put her in his pocket and turned to leave the dorm room. He didn't get that far. In the doorway stood Hermione.

She spoke first

"Well?" she asked, and not in her old demanding tone either

Tanathos decided to play dumb

"Well what?"

"Did you read my letter?" she asked him

"Yeah, I got it this morning" he replied calmly

"And?" she persisted

"And what?" inside Tanathos was laughing, it was so much fun to tease her

"Can we be friends?"

Tanathos shrugged

"I dunno"

Hermione looked crestfallen

"You don't know?"

He shrugged again

"Look Granger" Hermione's face dropped further when he used her last name "You said in your letter that you wanted me to go back to being 'the old- harry' well the 'old-harry' wont last in the fight against the Dark lord."

"The old-harry' wouldn't call him 'the dark lord'." She replied sadly

"So what if I do? It's just a name. Nothing special"

"Harry what is wrong with you?"

"Nothing." He smirked "Nothing that you need to worry your pretty little ass over any way"

"Why have you changed so much?" she asked him quietly

Tanathos laughed lightly

"I am taking control of my life. And I shall do what I want, when I want, how I want and with whoever I want" he replied coldly

"Like Zabini?" she asked

"Yes, with Blaise or Draco if he accepts my offer"

Hermione looked up at him

"Draco? What offer?"

He smirked at her and moved towards her slowly

"What's the matter Hermione?" he moved closer "You seem so sad and lonely"

He smirked at her and she trembled slightly, she did not like the look in his eyes

"You're shaking." He stated as he pushed into her personal space

"You're scaring me Harry," she admitted timidly, still shaking slightly

"Do I?" he whispered in her ear, she nodded "Why do I scare you 'Mione?"

Silent tears were forming in her eyes as he used her nickname

"You are becoming someone else Harry."

Tanathos slid his arms around her waist and pulled himself closer to her

"Who am I becoming 'Mione?"

He pushed her backwards gently trapping her between himself and the wall

"Some . . . Someone who . . ."

His right hand slid it's way over her stomach and slowly up the front of her robe, his cold fingers stroking gently over her skin

"Someone who what 'Mione?"

He was still whispering in her ear and he softly licked her earlobe with his tongue

"Someone who scares me" her voice was so soft and Tanathos would not of been able to hear it, if he wasn't so close

He moved his left hand up to her neck and rubbed his fingers over her cheek. While his right hand gently massaged her breasts.

"Why do I scare you 'Mione?" he whispered to her

"You're so cold" she replied

Tanathos moved closer to her, pushing his body up against hers

"Am I?" he asked, but before she could reply he brought his lips down hard against hers and pulled her into a one-way kiss. He tugged his right hand free of her top, ripping it along the seems on the front. His left hand closed tightly about her neck and she gasped and his grip tightened. Tanathos took the chance to push his tongue into her mouth and she gagged with the pressure of his kiss and the force of his hand against her neck.

Tanathos broke the kiss off and with his right hand knocked her head against the stonewall. He held her up with his left hand for a while before hissing

"You haven't even seen the real me 'Mione." Before letting her go and watching her slide down the wall and collapse onto the floor.

Tanathos sneered at her shaking before stalking out of the dormitory with his cloak billowing out in very much the same way as his fathers.

On the floor of the boys dormitory Hermione pulled her legs in tightly and cried.

~S~

AN: Mwahahahahahaha evil Harry! Well Tanathos. He is quickly becoming more susceptible to the dark arts and so becoming more dark and evil. I love dark Tanathos it's so much fun to write!

And now onto review replies:

Keebler-elmo: Yes I am very well aware of the prophecy, and it will come back into play in a little while.

Prophetess of Hearts: Heheheh, you truly love my Severus that much?

Resggal: Cercis does not come into play until Tanathos' plan to 'rid-the- world-of-harry-potter-and-become-the-man-he-really-is' and then he does not begin to learn the silver arts and the ancient arts until Cercis is at Hogwarts which could be in quite a while.

Cr1Ms0n^D3v1L: *Laughs evilly* I love ending chapters like that tho, 1 it makes it easier to start the next chapter and 2 it makes the readers come back. But if it bugs you [the readers] I'll try not to do that to often.

Sika: I do read through my chapters but obviously I miss some spellings and other errors. I would get a beta reader, but I don't like having to wait for someone else to read my chapter then send it back. Seeing as normally I'll write a chapter put it up and then start the next one and so if I get a beta reader I have to wait ages to get it back and then you [the readers] have to wait even longer, which, I as a reader and writer, hate. So yeah sorry if there're some mistakes but I do try to sort them.

KrazyKate: Thanks for your review!

Kemenran: Thank you! You have been one of the few who have followed this from the start [I think] so thanks!

And to everyone else who has read it but not reviewed:

Thank you for reading but please please please review it makes it so much easier and the more reviews I get the faster I upload the next chapter!

Keep reading and reviewing!

LS